Switzerland, March 1, 2009

Pauriol claims second Grand Prix in Lugano

On-form Rebellin misses out

Rémi Pauriol of team Cofidis claimed his second win Sunday thanks to another Grand Prix, the GP Lugano. The Frenchman out-sprinted escape companion Davide Rebellin on the rain-soaked arrival. The Italian of team Diquigiovanni added a second place to his season palmarès that already includes two stage wins in the Vuelta a Andalucía.

Rebellin was very active in the race. He joined the move including Pauriol and his Cofidis teammate, Amaël Moinard, after their former companions – Linus Gerdemann (Milram) and Philip Deignan (Cervélo TestTeam) – faded from the front. He did not risk it all on the wet and dangerous descent down towards Lago di Lugano.

Remaining only with Pauriol, he led out the sprint because he feared the chase group led by Australian Simon Gerrans (Cervélo TestTeam). "If they caught us it would have been worse off."

Rebellin proved his form yesterday when he played a hand in teammate Francesco Ginanni's win in the GP Insubria. His second in the 178-kilometre race behind the winner of the GP Marseillaise race proved he to be ready for his March objectives: Tirreno-Adriatico, March 11 to 17, and Milano-Sanremo, March 21.

"I will aim for a stage in Tirreno-Adriatico. With the new climb [of Le Mànie in Milano-Sanremo] the finale is harder and lends itself to attacks."

Rebellin turned professional in 1992. His highest placing in Milano-Sanremo is fourth, which he achieved in 1995 and 2008.

Pauriol, professional full time since 2006, had two other race wins: 2006's Tour de Wallonie stage four and Route Adélie de Vitré. (GB)